Hong Kong Customs combats sale of suspected pirated games on social network platform

[Len]

Hong Kong Customs today (December 13) conducted an anti-piracy operation against the sale of house brand game console sets, each with more than 5 000 suspected pirated games preloaded, on social networking platform. This is the first-ever case detected by Customs involving the sale of house brand game console sets with suspected pirated games preloaded. A total of 12 game console sets were seized.

Customs officers earlier received information alleging that an online seller promoted on social networking platform their house brand game console sets preloaded with a large volume of suspected pirated games. Most of the preloaded games were old famous ones in order to attract customers, and online ordering was offered.

Investigation revealed that the seller operated a shop in Sham Shui Po. Enforcement action against the shop was taken today and a total of 12 game console sets preloaded with suspected pirated games with an estimated market value of about $12,000 were seized from the shop.

Two men, a 35-year-old proprietor and a 23-year-old salesman, were arrested in the operation for selling or in possession of infringing items for the purpose of trade.

Investigation is ongoing.

Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who sells or possess for sale any infringing items commits an offence.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years.